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Yes. DirectX’s core runtime is included with Windows, so Windows users generally do not pay separately to use it. The version available depends on the Windows release and its updates; on Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft delivers DirectX updates through Windows Update. The separate DirectX End-User Runtime is for optional legacy components some older games need—it does not upgrade Windows’ DirectX version.
What DirectX is—and what “free” means
DirectX is a set of Windows components that lets software, especially games, work with video and audio hardware. Microsoft describes it as components “in Windows,” rather than a separate product you need to purchase. The core runtime is therefore included with Windows, although the version supported by a PC depends on its Windows release and updates. Microsoft’s DirectX installation guidance covers supported versions and update routes.
How to check your DirectX version
- Open Start and search for
dxdiag. - Launch the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. If prompted to check whether your drivers are digitally signed, choose an option to continue.
- In the System Information section, read the DirectX Version entry.
This reports the DirectX version installed in Windows. It does not tell you whether a particular game’s optional legacy libraries are installed.
How DirectX updates are installed
For Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft says DirectX 11.3 and DirectX 12 are included with Windows, with updates delivered through Windows Update. There is no separate standalone package to upgrade those core versions. On older Windows releases, supported versions and delivery methods differ; consult Microsoft’s version-specific guidance for the relevant system. Microsoft notes that upgrading beyond the supported DirectX version on some older systems requires upgrading Windows.
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For current Windows versions, use Settings > Windows Update to check for available system updates. Avoid downloading an alleged universal “latest DirectX” installer from an unfamiliar site: DirectX is tied to Windows, and its core updates arrive through the operating system’s update channel.
Why an older game may still ask for DirectX
A newer DirectX version in DxDiag does not guarantee that every optional library required by an older game is present. Some games depend on side-by-side legacy components such as D3DX9/10/11, XAudio 2.7, XInput 1.3, XACT, or Managed DirectX 1.1.
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Microsoft’s DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer adds these legacy SDK runtime libraries when needed. Microsoft lists package version 9.29.1974.1, published July 15, 2024. The package does not change the DirectX version built into Windows; core Direct3D, DirectInput, and DirectSound are included with Windows and are not installed or removed by this runtime. If a game reports a missing file such as d3dx9_35.dll, Microsoft points users to this legacy runtime rather than a core DirectX upgrade.
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Download the legacy runtime from Microsoft’s Download Center, not from a third-party DLL site. It is intended to solve compatibility requirements for some older software, not to improve performance or raise the DirectX version reported by DxDiag.
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DirectX for game developers
For Direct3D 12 development, Microsoft says the required headers and libraries are included in the Windows SDK; “There is no separate download or installation required to use Direct3D 12.” Microsoft’s setup guidance describes installing the Windows SDK and Visual Studio as the development environment: Direct3D 12 programming environment setup.
Older optional libraries and operating-system components are distinct from the modern development setup. Microsoft’s DirectX installation guidance for game developers explains that the legacy DirectX SDK is end-of-life and is not recommended for new projects.
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